Picking your brains on a used boondocking camper for 2 people & two dogs
- Thread starter BoonyDave
- Start date
normal_dave
waytoomuchwritinginposts.
Not sure if you want to build/modify, but our 7x16 cargo conversion is 3,000lbs loaded and I'm currently towing it with my Gen 3 Montero rated to 5K.
7x16 Cargo Conversion
We call it our hard-wall tent. Since ours was primarily a gear hauler, we kept it basic. Rugged construction, 1" welded tubing walls on 16", 24" ceiling centers. Added 6" height, offset slider windows, RV door, chose leaf spring axle setup for additional clearance. Chose tandem for better ride, even though we didn't need capacity. I'm about to add a simple fresh/grey water tank to support a sink. Thetford toilet turned out to be a much bigger winner than I thought. Now that kids are grown and gone, its just us and the Mountain Cur dog, and he's got plenty of room. I keep wanting to changeup the design, but my wife says leave it alone, it works fine.
We went from two tents to this, built it out in 2012 and never found a need to do anything different. Forest service roads, tight turnarounds, haven't dragged the back in a low spot yet, entire rig fits in two parking spaces. It didn't take all that long to finish it out, weekends and evenings, certainly saved a lot of money that we put towards trips.
Here's an example of a 6x12 built to support dirt bike riding, but it also has all the creature comforts. (Goes by flboy on the below linked forum)
6x12 Offroad Toy Hauler
7x16 Cargo Conversion
We call it our hard-wall tent. Since ours was primarily a gear hauler, we kept it basic. Rugged construction, 1" welded tubing walls on 16", 24" ceiling centers. Added 6" height, offset slider windows, RV door, chose leaf spring axle setup for additional clearance. Chose tandem for better ride, even though we didn't need capacity. I'm about to add a simple fresh/grey water tank to support a sink. Thetford toilet turned out to be a much bigger winner than I thought. Now that kids are grown and gone, its just us and the Mountain Cur dog, and he's got plenty of room. I keep wanting to changeup the design, but my wife says leave it alone, it works fine.
We went from two tents to this, built it out in 2012 and never found a need to do anything different. Forest service roads, tight turnarounds, haven't dragged the back in a low spot yet, entire rig fits in two parking spaces. It didn't take all that long to finish it out, weekends and evenings, certainly saved a lot of money that we put towards trips.
Here's an example of a 6x12 built to support dirt bike riding, but it also has all the creature comforts. (Goes by flboy on the below linked forum)
6x12 Offroad Toy Hauler
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Yeah, I keep trying to convince the wife that with so many seems/folding areas that they're just leaks waiting to happen. I think this is where "you get what you pay for" comes into play.
We're considering looking into a converted cargo trailer. Problem is I'm not at all handy. My dad was the kind of guy who could do all that stuff (grew up on a farm in Iowa in the 1940s and 1950s and could fix ANYTHING) but I didn't get any of that from him.
I did watch a YouTube video from the Playing With Sticks channel where Drew showed a no build where you use the railing system that already exists (I forget what it's called) and use dimensional lumber with the attachments on the ends of the boards that attach the lumber to the walls to make your bed and any other things. I could handle something like that. We could probably even handle insulating the walls. My wife is actually handier than I am which sounds pathetic, I know. We could have someone install a ceiling fan and an RV window or two and then grow with it.
normal_dave
waytoomuchwritinginposts.
I'm not much of a carpenter for sure, but we got it worked out. Here is a dealer in Castle Rock, Colorado that sells "off-road themed" Cargo Craft trailers. I imagine one of these would have you well on the way, just finish it out to your liking. They seem like they would handle a custom order. Cargo Craft did ok following my custom order request. I prefer barn doors over ramp for camping. These look like they are better suited to small toy haulers.We're considering looking into a converted cargo trailer. Problem is I'm not at all handy. My dad was the kind of guy who could do all that stuff (grew up on a farm in Iowa in the 1940s and 1950s and could fix ANYTHING) but I didn't get any of that from him.
5x10 Cargo Craft off-road toy hauler
Singler3360
Active member
OP, given where you've indicated you like to go, be very weary of an Aliner. We had an Aliner Ranger 12 and took it down washboard and basic forest service roads. Everything shook apart inside to the point that I ended up bolting the cabinets through the wall. I also replaced the axle with self-fabricated independent trailing arm suspension with air bags (in retrospect Timbren probably would have been just fine). In all other aspects, we loved the Aliner. Contrary to what others have said, it did not leak and was very comfortable.
Eventually we decided to upgrade to a Conqueror UEV-14 (4k lbs dry), which along with the Dwellers, is no longer available in NA. After bending the frame of our Toyota Tacoma 4x4 boondocking with the Conqueror, the frame and body guy advised on an extra 1/3 towing capacity if pulling offroad and/or in mountains. We now tow with a Ford F150 4x4.
I'm not saying don't get an Aliner, just be prepared to make modifications to it that probably void the warranty so its offroad worthy.
Eventually we decided to upgrade to a Conqueror UEV-14 (4k lbs dry), which along with the Dwellers, is no longer available in NA. After bending the frame of our Toyota Tacoma 4x4 boondocking with the Conqueror, the frame and body guy advised on an extra 1/3 towing capacity if pulling offroad and/or in mountains. We now tow with a Ford F150 4x4.
I'm not saying don't get an Aliner, just be prepared to make modifications to it that probably void the warranty so its offroad worthy.